Lightning News

Margarita Romo honored as Lightning Community Hero

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Margarita Romo as the 191st Lightning Community Hero over the past four seasons during the first period of tonight's game against the New York Islanders. In total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $9.7 million to more than 300 non-profits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. Romo, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, will donate the money to Farmworkers Self-Help Inc.

Ever since she founded Farmworkers Self-Help (FSH), Romo has become a vital part of the Pasco County community. The organization allocates services to house, feed, clothe, educate and employ less-fortunate farmworkers. In addition, FSH has also created Esperanza y Salud (House of Hope and Health), a health clinic for migrant farmworkers. The clinic partners with the Moffitt Cancer Center and provides farmworkers with cancer information, screening and resources. The partnership includes collaboration with Moffitt's Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN) that includes over 20 other organizations in the area.

FSH continues to serve over 7,000 men, women and children in the Pasco County area each year. Romo's legacy is defined by two words: dignity and opportunity. She started the first pilot program about HIV/AIDS and screening for migrants in Pasco County on top of developing a multicultural outreach team. Overall, Romo's efforts have contributed deeply to improving the lives of immigrants through the values of self-help, empowerment and education.